Housing conditions and respiratory morbidity in Indigenous children in remote communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada
Thomas Kovesi, Gary Mallach, Yoko Schreiber, Michael McKay, Gail Lawlor, Nick Barrowman, Anne Tsampalieros, Ryan Kulka, Ariel Root, Len Kelly, Michael Kirlew, Jeffrey D. Miller
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) among First Nations (FN) children living in Canada are elevated. We aimed to quantify indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in the homes of FN children in isolated communities and evaluate any associations with respiratory morbidity. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of 98 FN children (81 with complete data) aged 3 years or younger, living in 4 FN communities in the Sioux Lookout region of Northern Ontario. We performed medical chart reviews and administered questionnaires. We performed a housing inspection, including quantifying the interior surface area of mould (SAM). We monitored air quality for 5 days in each home and quantified the contaminant loading of settled floor dust, including endotoxin. We analyzed associations between IEQ variables and respiratory conditions using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: = 0.04). INTERPRETATION: We observed poor housing conditions and an association between endotoxin and wheezing in young FN children living in Northern Ontario.